Apparatus for handling invalids.



J. A. PITTS & J. P. BOERMAN. APPARATUS FOR HANDLING INVALIDS. APPLICATION FILED 00T. 28, 1912.

1,080,297. A PatenedDec.2,1913.

COLUMBIA PLANoGR/mn cr. WASHINGTON. D. c.

JOI-IN A. PITTS AND JOHN P. BOERIVIAN, 0F KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING INVALIDS.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that we, JOHN A. Prrrs and JOHN P. BOERMAN, citizens of the United States, residing at Kalamazoo, Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Handling Invalids, of which the following is a specification. Y

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for handling invalids.

The main object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for handling invalids by means of which they may be easily lifted from a bed to a chair or vice versa, or from a chair to a carriage or the like, or supported to permit the exercise of the lower body and legs without danger of falling or undue strain.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of this character which is very simple and economical in structure and easily and quickly adjusted to or removed-from the patient.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

We accomplish the objects of our invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and point-` ed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of our invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specication, in which:

Figure I is a front elevation of a structure embodying our improvements adjusted to a person, a person and a bed being indicated by dotted lines. Fig. II is a detail side View of one of the arm members. Fig. III is a detail vertical section on a line corresponding to line 3 3 of Fig. II. Fig. IV is a detail horizontal section on a line corresponding to line 4:-4 of Fig. II. Fig. V is a detail end view of one of the arm members. Fig. VI is an end view of one of the body blocks 4, the hanger and body straps being omitted.

In the drawing similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing, the track 1 and the hoisting tackle 2 may be made of any suitable construction and is shown here Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Application led ctober 28, 1912.

PatentedD-ec. 2, 1913. Serial No. 728,171.

mainly for the purpose of illustrating one method of using our improvements.

IVe provide a pair of arm members 3 adapted to be placed under the arms of the patient as shown in Fig. I. These arm members preferably consist of blocks 4C of wood curved on the inner sides as at 5,to conform to the body and provided with pads 6 on their upper edges. The blocks 4 have longitudinal grooves 7 in their bottoms and longitudinal grooves 8 on their outer sides, and vertical grooves 9 and transverse grooves 10 in their ends. The hanger straps 11 are arranged in the grooves 7 in the bottoms of the blocks or body portions of the arm members and in the vertical grooves 9 at the ends thereof, being secured to the ends of the blocks by the nails 12. The body encircling strap 13 is arranged in the grooves S in the sides of the blocks 4 and in the transverse grooves l() in the ends thereof. The hanger straps 1l are crossed over the body strap 13, the nails l2 being arranged at each side of the strap 13 to provide retaining loops for the strap 13 and so that it is adjustably secured to the arm members. The strap 13 is provided with a suitable buckle 14k by means of which it may be adjusted to the body. The hanger straps 1l are provided with adjusting buckles l5. These hanger straps are slidably engaged with the equalizing hanger bar 16 suspended from the hoisting means 2. The equalizing bar 16 is provided with loops 17 at its ends through which the straps ll are passed. By this simple arrangement of parts, the device may be readily adjusted to or removed from the patient. By passing the straps around the blocks 4e as illustrated a convenient and secure means of attachment is provided and the blocks are reinforced by the straps.

lOur improved apparatus is found highly l eicient in lifting invalids not having the use of their legs, from a chair to a bed or vice versa or from a bed to a carriage or vice versa. Further, this can be done with little exertion on the part of the nurse and in a manner which is comfortable to the patient.

The apparatus may be used to support a patient so that he may exercise the lower part of his body or limbs with just the desired amount of load upon the limbs and without any danger of the patients falling. The apparatus is also desirable for strengthening the muscles of the back. The apparatus is completely adjustable and the patient may be handled with much less likelihood of injury and with less likelihood of causing pain than where patients are handled in the usual manner.

We have illustrated and described our improvements in detail in the form in which we have embodied the same in practice. `We desire, however, to be understood as claiming our improvements specifically in the form illustrated as well as broadly Within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a pair of arm members adapted to be Vplaced under the arms and comprising blocks having longitudinal grooves in their bottoms and outer sides and vertical and transverse grooves in their ends; hanger straps arranged in the grooves in the bottoms and the vertical grooves in the ends of said blocks; a hanger bar having loops at its ends in which said hanger straps are slidably arranged; and an adjustable body strap arranged in the grooves in the sides and the transverse grooves in the ends of said blocks, the hanger straps being crossed over the body straps and secured to said blocks at each side thereof to provide retaining loops for the body strap whereby the body strap is adjustably secured to the arm members, all coacting for the purpose specified.

2. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a pair of arm members adapted to be placed under the arms and comprising blocks; hanger straps passed under said blocks and secured to the ends thereof; an equalizing hanger with which said hanger straps are slidably associated; and an adjustable body strap passed around the sides of said blocks and across the ends thereof under said hanger straps'whereby l the body strap is adjustably attached to the arm members, all coacting for the purpose specified.

3. In a structure of the class described, the combination with the hoisting means, of a pair of rigid arm members adapted to be 'placed under the arms; hanger straps secured to the said arm members; an equalizing hanger bar suspended from said hoisting means and having loops at its ends in which said hanger straps are slidably arranged; and an adjustable body strap adjustably secured to the said arm members, all coacting for the purpose specified.

4L. In a structure of the class described, the combination with the hoisting means, of a pair of rigid arm members adapted to be placed under the arms; hanger straps secured to the said arm members; an equalizing bar suspended from said hoisting means; and an adjustable body strapV adjustably secured to the said arm members, all coacting for the purpose specified.

5. In an apparatus for handling invalids, the combination of a pair of rigid arm members adapted to be placed under the arms, hanger straps connected to the ends of said arm members at the front and rear of the arms, an equalizing bar to which said hanger straps are connected, and an adjustable body strap connected to the ends of said arm members, whereby the same may be adjusted to and held against the sides of the body of the person to be supported.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seals in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN A. PIT'IS. [1.. s] JOHN I). BOERMAN. [1.. s] Witnesses:

Karin V. KELLOGG, M. PHINA WOODRUFF.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. v 

